blue stone

["Stacy Shure" <shurefamily@zzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Randy Zieber of Neolithic Stone in Vancouver, B.C. has a beautiful blue
marble that he regularly stocks.  It can range from a soft pastel blue
("Robin Egg blue") to deep dark blue, sometimes with veining just under the
skin that is lighter to white.  I have several of these stones in my studio
now waiting for the carve.

It is somewhat granular, but tight.  A hard stone, but takes a beautiful
polish and will hold a lovely edge, although not as fine as some Italian
marbles.  It grinds easily, and makes a lovely piece.  I do not know whether
or not the sun bleaches the color over time.  I have a piece I carved two
years ago which has been outside in the California sun since then and shows
no degredation in the color. Last time I looked Randy had pictures of this
stone available on his website and also brings a supply of it to the annual
stone carvers' symposium held in Seattle every July (NWSSA).

Another favorite carve of mine is Wedgewood marble.  It can be found in many
locales, most particularly in Northern Central California.  It is a lovely
white, with blue to dark grey veins.  Sometimes it is possible to find  a
piece that is substantially blue.  It is one of my most favorite carves - it
takes well to the pnuematic hammer as well as hand chisels and riflers.
Holds a tight edge and simply a fun stone.  A wonderful stone to turn to
after a particularly hard carve (or after "fighting" with a serpentine piece
for almost 1 year).  It can restore joy to your hands and your psyche and
never complains!  (this is getting too personal now - lol, I need to go out
to dinner now with my wedgewood to show my appreciation).

Stacy Shure